When you tell someone that you play guitar, how many times have you been asked "do you play acoustic or electric?" Don't I just play guitar? Do they ask piano players if they play a grand piano or a keyboard? I suppose those who only own one or the other have a straight answer, but aren't guitar players just guitar players?

_________________

Well said! That question always bothers me. I'm very capable of playing both, I own both. The question itself makes no sense, the skills you have can be used on either instrument. It's no different then asking a guitar player if he can play a Fender or Gibson. Stupid IMO.

I hate the questions when meeting new people. I tell them I'll answer their questions when I'm allowed to make them deaf.

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

Another one I get a lot is "Can I have lessons?" which is flattering, but I'm not anywhere near qualified.

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

Been asked this 100 times, never really thought about it like that. interesting with the piano analogy. BTW I can also drive a 2 or 4 wheel drive car. Does seem a bit silly to ask now that you bring it up. My buddy plays alto, and tenor saxophone.....does that make him bi-saxual?

_________________
"Where would rock and roll be without feedback?"

They are 2 different styles of playing the guitar so I think its a valid question

No different IMO from when you tell someone you ski and they ask "water or snow?".

While the theory of execution is similar, the operative dynamics are (to varying degrees) different.

I surely wouldn't lose any sleep over a paradoxical issue such as this.



Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

It doesn't really bother me, I find there are 3 simple answers.

Electric, Acoustic or both.

Then most people don't care enough to delve further

I just say both and then I immediately try to change the subject before they ask me for a lesson or ask what kind of guitar is the best in the whole world or ask me if I know Joe Schmoe, the guitar player who lives three towns away.

_________________

Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

I can also mention that I can drive a car - but only if it is really fast
When I am asked what I play , and I now and then want to brag - I tell them I play electric guitar , acoustic guitar ,baritone guitar , bass guitar , dobro and lap steel . Then I get this reaction
A guitar player is just a guitar player

_________________
A-man

my favorite is when someone finds out you play guitar, and their next line is "you must be great at guitar hero". try to explain that they are totally different, and watch the blank stare

fwiw, i have no use for this air guitar thing either

I'm not bothered at all by that question and just answer"Both." and if asked if I give lessons I just simply answer: "You couldn't possibly afford me." and if they persist I tell them $100 for a 1/2 hour lesson.

BTW Re the acoustic/electric debate: Andres Segovia dismissed the electric guitar as an "abomination and not even a proper instrument."

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

That's why I dislike Segovia.

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

Isn't a guitar player just a guitar player?

I don't understand the question.

_________________
Gary

Segovia was a great virtuoso . But I bet he would not like Zeppelin or even Beatles
I don't like those nylon-stringed classical guitars , either - but LOVE my steel stringed acoustics!
( This summer I actually played one of those nylon-things , because this was offered me for a jam with a recording artist. Great fun , and he wanted me to play with him later ,as well. So I guess it kinda worked)

_________________
A-man